The hour and 45 minute drive was worth every second. Both ways.

I got to see four of the most influential women in my life—and other than my mom, gramma, and sister, these four have helped make me a better person. They also are awe-inspiring and absolutely amazing.

Today, I learned things I didn’t know could even happen (a penis can break which results in a $16,000+ surgery!).

I saw first hand the ramifications of no insurance—my beautiful world-traveling friend who taught overseas for two years now has a mysterious illness that the free clinic has yet to diagnose correctly.

I was made aware of the importance of being proactive and researching anything that is prescribed (because it could be made at the Hormel plant).

I was able to discuss the disenchantment that comes with working in academia surrounded by drama and politics—and we all loved our university at one point.

Finally, I was able to read and give “feedback” (question/comment/edit) an academic essay and discuss highly intellectual topics and drink really good wine.

This mini—list doesn’t begin to do today justice. We ate and laughed at Mogies. We walked in the sun and sat in the shade eating gelato and talking and laughing some more. We went and sat on a picnic table in Owen Park in the shade and laughed, talked, and realized how shitty it is to grow older. We set a date in January for a future “girl’s weekend” in *maybe* San Francisco (and depending on my job/school situation, we might go to Costa Rica for a week!) We went to the Farmer’s Market and bought bread, beets, salsa, raspberries, rhubarb pie, and someone got free coffee due to her amazing prowess (uh, NOT me! Damn, even when she’s sick she’s amazing!).

I actually feel refreshed, recharged, and can’t wait to see what’s next for my life. Eventually I would have come to this on my own, but re-centering myself with these women who I admire, respect, and look up to has given me a swift kick in the ass in the right direction.

I would give ANYTHING for the middle states between OR & WI to move north to Canada so our two states could be closer.